Thermal Insulation in Canadian Houses: How to save 50% on heating

The Secret of Canadian Comfort

Why can you walk barefoot in a Canadian house in winter while there is frost outside? It's not magic, it's applied physics.

In Chile, we are used to houses with "heaters on all day." That is a symptom of poor construction. An efficient house must retain heat, not just generate it.

The Thermal Envelope Concept

Imagine your house as a thermos. If the thermos has a hole or is made of a simple conductive material, the coffee gets cold quickly.

In the Canadian Houses system, we build a "Continuous Thermal Envelope" composed of:

1. The Wall Structure (Studs): Unlike solid brick that transmits cold, our walls have a cavity of 90mm or more.
2. The Infill (Insulation): That cavity is completely filled with high-density Mineral Wool or Styrofoam. This traps still air, which is the best natural insulator.
3. Thermal Bridge Break: In the EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System), we add an ADDITIONAL layer of polystyrene OUTSIDE the structure. This dresses the house in a "coat," preventing steel profiles from touching the outside cold.

The Moisture and Vapor Barrier (Tyvek)

A common mistake in Chile is that houses "sweat" (condensation). This generates black mold in the corners. We install smart membranes (Tyvek type) that function like human skin:

• Waterproof: They don't let rainwater in from the outside.
• Breathable: They let water vapor generated in the kitchen and bathrooms escape outwards.
• Result: Dry and healthy walls forever.

Quantifiable Economic Savings

Our clients report savings of between 40% and 60% in HVAC costs.

• In winter: You turn on the heating for a while in the morning and the house retains heat for hours.
• In summer: The insulation also works in reverse, preventing the sun's heat from overheating the interior.

Smart Investment: What you invest in construction quality today, you save month by month on gas and electricity bills for the next 50 years.